Username: Roobuzz
Name: Cade Smith
Gender: Male
Monologue:
When I was only six, one single event changed my entire life.
Now, before I explain, I should give you a bit of background information.
I grew up in a fairly wealthy family. We weren't rich, but we had all that we needed and more. I was a lucky kid, and like most kids, didn't understand the value of my safety, security, and family.
My best friend, however, lived in a different situation. His family didn't have much money at all. They lived in an old, beaten down home that seemed to be on the verge of falling apart. Unlike my family, they didn't have all they needed. With only a father to take care of the two kids, the small, unfortunate family had to do work around the neighborhood to get enough money to put food on the table. The brother and sister would shovel driveways, mow lawns, and pick up sticks for the neighbors. The father was always looking for a job opportunity that would allow him enough time to take care of his kids.
He was finally hired on a farm to plow the fields, and although he didn't get much time at home as he'd wanted, he got to feed his children. They learned to take care of themselves for the most part, and although unfortunate, were very happy kids.
My friend- the brother- was always the first to raise his paw in class. Even if he didn't know the right answer, he would try his best and give it his all. His enthusiasm brought me out of my shell, and other kalons often told us that we were inseparable.
I remember the day that it happened. It was a Tuesday morning, and as usual, I sat toward the side of the classroom and watched the other students talk and play. I was always very content with doing this as a child; not because of a lack of friends- I had enough. I enjoyed studying the personalities of my classmates. It was a past time of mine that kept me very socially aware.
The bell rang, and all of the students sat in the morning story-time circle- all except one. I knew that my friend had to skip school sometimes to do chores, so I didn't think too much of it. The teacher took attendance, and she didn't seem concerned about his absence either.
We were part way through our story when the classroom phone began to ring. The teacher, shushing us, got up and answered the phone. I tried to listen to what she was saying, but the rest of the class immediately became to chatter and giggle, and I couldn't decipher her words. All I knew was that her expression became gravely concerned, and that meant the phone call was about something bad.
I tried not to think too much into it and waited impatiently for the teacher to return. When she did, she shushed the class once more and continued reading the story. I noticed that she had to take a deep breath before reading.
Trying my best to disregard the situation, I listened to the story, occasionally glancing at the door for my friend to arrive.
He didn't.
Not for the whole school day, anyway. Concerned, I asked the teacher what the phonecall was about.
"It's nothing for you to worry about right now," she replied, her tone light.
I pursued security. "Is he alright?"
Her gaze softened and she stroked my hair sympathetically. "He's just fine. Something happened and he had to stay home today. You're a very good friend, Cade."
I nodded in relief, glad that my friend was alright.
When I got home, I went straight to my dad to tell him all about my day. He was watching the television very intently, and I cocked my head a little. He didn't usually watch T.V.
He looked from the screen, appearing a little surprised to see me. "Cade, come here."
I obeyed, wandering to his side and turning my eyes on the screen curiously.
"What is it?" I asked him.
He didn't respond. I narrowed my eyes at the screen, doing my best to read the words.
Missing, said the big word at the bottom. I looked at the picture, trembling as I realized who it was.
It was my friend's sister.
I started out of the room to run to his house, but my dad stopped me before I could even leave the room.
"You can talk to him at school," he told me.
I began to cry. "Where is she? Why is she missing?"
He seemed to be at a loss for words. "She... Cade, sometimes bad things happen."
We left it at that.
My friend was at school the next day. He wasn't himself, which I understand. I waited patiently for him to talk to me about it if he wanted to.
He didn't raise his paw to answer the questions.
He didn't even look at the teacher while she read to us. He just kept his eyes on the window, searching. Always searching.
I tried to comfort him. I gave him my snack, and my book, and I even wrote a little note that read,
I can help you find your sister if you want.
He didn't look at it. He seemed to be separating himself from the rest of the class, and I wanted to help him.
One day, I asked him why he seemed so sad.
"It's hard to explain. I don't know if I even know it," he replied, his once bright eyes now dull.
"You can try to explain it," I suggested, too young to understand that he didn't want to talk about it.
He looked at his paw, examining the fur on the back of it as though he'd never seen it before. "Well, Daddy said that he was gonna do something... with the law, I think. I think he's going to court."
"Why?"
"He said that he's gonna make them look for her again."
I nodded, relief flooding through me. "That's good! Now we'll find-"
"No." His eyes were desperate. "He doesn't even wanna do it anymore. He... He doesn't wanna do anything."
I searched for what to say.
He went on. "He's not the same. I wish he were the same. I wish she was back. I wish-" his voice broke and so did he. "I wish we could go back to how it- how it was-"
...
It's been fifteen years.
An event- one that didn't even affect my family- changed me forever.
Ever since that day- the day I realized how such a situation affected my friend- I decided that I would put my entire life toward reuniting families and ensuring that no case is closed unsolved.
I'm currently enrolled in a college for criminal profiling, and I'm interning for the A.C.I.O. Someday, I'll be an official member and work for them. My goal isn't so much about punishing criminals as it is about reuniting families.
Families like my childhood friend's.
Because that's where I learned what love really is.